Chinese president kicks off 4-country global tour in Spain

MADRID – China’s President Xi Jinping has arrived in Spain for the first leg of an international tour that will also include a global summit in Argentina, as well as visits to Panama and Portugal.

The Spanish prime minister’s office says that China and Spain will sign eight intergovernmental agreements on Wednesday, including a deal to export on-the-bone legs of Iberian ham to China, and close to a dozen private business contracts.

Both countries will also update a strategic framework relationship established during the last visit to Spain of a Chinese state leader, 13 years ago.

Xi and China’s first lady, Peng Liyuan, will also meet the Spanish royals in Madrid, before heading to Buenos Aires for the G-20 leaders’ summit.

His tour ends Dec. 5, after stops in Panama and Portugal.